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Penallt (also spelled Penalt) is a village standing on the high ground south of Monmouth, above the west bank of the River Wye. The name can be translated from the Welsh as head or top of the (wooded) hill and, even though much of the land is now agricultural, this still seems appropriate when looking up from the River Wye.
In the centre of the village, by the village green, is the 17th century village pub, The Inn at Penallt, formerly the Bush Inn. There is another pub (The Boat) on the river, although it is hard walk uphill back from the pub to the village.
Wyeswood Common is a 104-acre (400,000 m2) nature reserve managed by the Gwent Wildlife Trust. This deciduous woodland forms a habitat for Pied Flycatchers, Nuthatch, Tree Pipits, Treecreepers and Sparrowhawks, as well as plants such as Wild Daffodils and Moschatel.
Penallt Old Church is about a mile north of the village, dating back to the 12th century and was restored in 1887. The heavy oak door bears a date which is now generally accepted as 1539, although it is easy to see the "9" as a "2". The churchyard cross has a base and lower shaft of 15th century date. The church dedication is unknown, though there is a local tradition that it was St James, the patron saint of pilgrims. Inside is the Royal coat of arms of Queen Anne dating from 1709.
In the winter Penallt churchyard has an excellent display of snowdrops. The views over the surrounding countryside are also worth seeing.
The Argoed, a 17th century mansion, lies to the south east of the village. It was once owned by the father of Beatrice Webb, the British socialist, economist and reformer. Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant also owned it in the 1980s.
Humble by Nature is in the village and runs a large number of courses based on farming and countryside skills.
Each autumn the village holds Art in Penallt featuring local artists and crafts and this increasingly has a reputation as a "not to be missed" event.
There are several enjoyable walks:
See The Penallt Pubs Circular here. A moderately easy walk of 3½ miles it begins at Redbrook starting along the river, but rising into the wooded hills around Penallt, the village and old church.
See The Penallt Loop here. This walk is a delight in May with early spring flowers, but is also good for autumn colours and winter views. It visits Penallt Old Church and the Inn at Penallt where a pub lunch or a picnic can be enjoyed before the walk down to Mitchel Troy. At nearly ten miles, allow five and a half hours walking time with plenty more for lunch and admiring the views.
